Our Mission

The Office of Social Justice, Mass Incarceration, and Transformation is dedicated to empowering leaders and lay individuals through comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and resource development. Our mission is to support annual conferences, pastors, and individuals affected by mass incarceration in realizing their full potential to help change the lives of persons in their congregation and community impacted by incarceration. Through our efforts, we aim to help you and your team address the systemic issues surrounding mass incarceration and promote positive transformation within communities.

Our Why

The United States, despite representing only approximately 5% of the global population, incarcerates more than 20% of individuals worldwide. Shockingly, as many as 100 million Americans have criminal records, subjecting them to a lifetime of social injustices.

At the SBC21 Office of Social Justice, Mass Incarceration, and Transformation, we recognize the gravity of these statistics and offer solutions to effect change. Through our ecumenical network of partners and collaborators, we empower annual conferences and local churches to engage deeply in the vital work of transforming our flawed criminal justice system. Together, we can work towards a more just and equitable society for all.

What We Do

At OSJ-MIT, we specialize in providing practical tools, best practices, and cutting-edge training to empower local congregations in their ministry of ‘seeing all the people.’ With nearly two decades of experience, we have been assisting churches in preparing for meaningful engagement with a range of social justice issues, including addressing the cradle-to-prison pipeline, supporting children and youth with incarcerated parents, aiding returning citizens, establishing in-person prison ministries, legislative advocacy and more.

Our goal is to equip you and your congregation to delve deep into this transformative work. Whether your focus is on criminal justice reform, voter engagement, immigration, or gun violence prevention, we offer comprehensive training, program resources, and support to help you make a tangible impact. Our proven programs, developed in collaboration with our network of partners, are utilized within our connection and beyond.

If you feel called to take a more active role in social justice advocacy, let us resource and equip you and your church leaders with a strategic plan to ignite your congregation’s passion for change. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities, bringing about lasting transformation.

Together We Can Make A Difference

Let us partner with you to make a lasting impact! With a track record of collaboration with dozens of annual conferences, countless congregations, and hundreds of pastors, we’re here to support you in reaching all the people God is calling you to serve.

Stay connected with us to access free resources and training that will equip you for effective ministry and outreach. Together, we can make a difference and fulfill our shared mission of spreading God’s love and compassion to all.

OSJT IMPACT STORY
When Leaders Lean In

In 2016, Dr. Adrienne M. Zackery attended the SBC21 National Summit on Mass Incarceration and the teaching, demonstration and learning event changed the trajectory of her ministry.

“I recognized that ministry takes place outside the four walls of the church, in the community, and I wanted to do something,” she says. Compton California’s history of crime, gang violence and social injustices had impacted the community in every way possible, including the mass incarceration of many members of the community. People were returning home from jail and prison and needed employment to replace criminal activity, and they couldn’t get a job with a criminal record. Doing an expungement clinic, to clear records, seemed like a good way to address this legacy and help the individual and community get back on its feet.

“I invited the congregation to join on this journey, and it wasn’t immediately accepted,” Zackery remembers. “Some members of the congregation were reluctant to have ‘criminals’ come into our church. But Matthew 22:35 means that as a church we are called to do this work. God is the God of another start.”

Dr. Zackery turned to a member of the congregation who was also an attorney, and even though Karen Henry had no criminal law experience, she took on the task of organizing the first event. She persuaded her law firm to provide pro bono legal help and contribute some money for expenses. The city of Compton lent tables and chairs. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provided a host of legal volunteers to put the petitions together and to train others to do them.

“In Compton there are not a lot of financial resources, but there are other kinds of resources, and we pulled them together. You must believe there is a ram in every bush,” she says. Slowly the congregation’s reluctance evaporated. In addition to the scriptural basis, you need to give people a role. Whether it’s organizing refreshments for the day or making copies, if you create a job for everyone it promotes their buy-in.

The Crossroads community learned a lot from that first experience. Not everything went smoothly, particularly with very hot weather and inadequate air conditioning. But for every problem, the church team found a solution.

Now in 2023, the church holds monthly expungement events, have activated a full fledge social justice team with leaders authoring legislation and are now in the beginning phase of building housing for returning citizens. Additionally, the leadership is leaning into its continued plan to “SEE ALL THE PEOPLE” with their new Journey to Love program, a focus on offering creating safe spaces for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults in the Compton.

“Crossroads is a small church, but we are mighty in vision, mission, and commitment,” says Zackery. “I believe every church should be able to have an organic ‘thing” to engage your community. Ours started with incarcerated citizens, and now it’s giving us vision to “SEE ALL THE PEOPLE’ God is calling us to reach. So go out there and do it.”

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